Cash register and indicator



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. H. A. HERE. CASH REGISTER AND INDICATOR.

Patented Apr. 22, 1890;

Rnveni'or:

Wifnesszs:

Sheet 2.

2 Sheets PentmltedApr.22,1890.

H. A. HERE.

CASH REGISTER AND INDICATOR.-

\NVENTO R. M a MY we NORRIS PEYERS 1:12., mom-mum, wnumumu. u c.

(No Model.)

W TNESSE'SZ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOMER A. HERB, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE AMERICAN CASH REG ISTER COMPANY.

CASH REGISTER AND INDICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 426,412, dated April 22, 1890.

Application filed November 14, 1889. Serial No. 330,253. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HOMER A. IIERR, of the city and county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Cash-Registers, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention hasreferencetocash-registers; and it consists of certain improvements, all of which are fully set forth in the following specification, and shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a part. thereof.

The Structures set out in this application relate to the general principles of construction set out in my applications, Serial No. 325,414, filed on the 28th of September, 1889, Serial No. 325,415, filed on the 23th of September, 1889, and Serial No. 319,660, filed August 3, 1339, and comprehend a cash-register in which operating levers or keys actuate registering-wheels independently actuated by the respective keys or levers; and, further, to a construction in which there are stationary indicatingtablets having figures thereon correspending to the keys or levers, and provided with pivoted or hinged screens which may be moved in front of or away from the respective tablets and adapted to be moved by means of vertically-movable bars or rods actuated through the movement of the levers or keys.

Locking devices are employed for suspending any one or more rods, which may be operated at the same time, so as to expose any one or more of the stationary tablets, as desired, which locking mechanism is fully set out in my other applications hereinabove referred to. Another portion of my improvements relates to the particular retaining-pawls employed in connection with the series of registering-wheels.

Furthermore, my invention comprehends a suitable locking device, which shall be adapted to prevent accidental movement of any operating lever or key except the one or more which is simultaneously struck for the purpose of registering dollars or cents, or both.

My invention also embodies other improve ments, which are fully set out hereinafter, and illustrated in the accompanying drawin gs, in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a cashregistering machine embodying my invention, taken on line 0: 0c of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of same with part broken away. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the lockingbar for the lovers. Fig. & is a perspective view of the lower end of one of the levers or keys, showing that portion which operates in connection with the locking-bar. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 1 adjacent to the locking-bar, and shows the locking-bar in position for locking the lever operated; and Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view on line .2 z of Fig. 1.

A is the main frame of the machine, and may be constructed in any suitable manner.

B are operating levers or keys, which are struck by the fingers, and by which the indicating apparatus and registering mechanism are operated.

C C are the registering-wheels, and are moved around by means of a pawl E, carried upon an arm F, and actuated by the lover or key 13. Each lever B has its own arm F and pawl E to actuate its own pair of registeringwheels. The faces of these wheels have numbers marked upon them,whieh 1n ay be observed through the slots or apertures N when thedoor or lever M is open. Immediately below these slots N and corresponding registeringwheels'are numbers or figures corresponding to the initial figure of the wheel arranged immediately behind the number on the case or frame and also corresponding to the lever B, which actuates that particular registeringwheel, and the number also corresponds to the figure marked on the key I) of the corresponding lever. The lower wheel C is directly actuated by pawl E, and is provided 011 its periphery with a pin 0, adapted to actuate the upper wheel C after the said pin and its wheel have made one revolution. The numbers on the upper wheel are therefore multiples of the numbers upon. the lower wheel.

D D are two series of pawlsone series for each set of the wheels C C to prevent their accidental rotation. The pawls of each series are supported upon separate rods (Z, and these rods are carried in a movable frame R, which may be moved to or from the registeringwheels in the manner set out in my application, Serial No. 325315, filed on the 28th of September, 1889, or in any other suitable manner, for the purpose of moving the pawls out of contact with the rcgistering-whcels when resetting the machine or bringing the wheels to Zero. The frame R is also provided with two stop-rods s-one for each series of pawls D the function of which is to insure the pawls being moved away from the wheels when the frame R is moved in resetting the machine. The frame R is also provided with a series of springs 7", each of which has two arms, which press, respectively, upon the two pawls corresponding to a single operating key or lever.

The rear ends of each of the levers B actuate a pivoted arm J, upon which rests a vertical arm G, having the hook or projection g at or about its middle and adapted at its upper part to actuate a pivoted screen or covering plate II, which normally covers or shields the figures or marks upon the stationary or fixed tablets I. As shown, there are two series of these tablets-an upper and a lower series-the purpose of which is to obtain as great a width in each tablet as is possible. It is immaterial how the rod or bar G is connected with the pivoted screen. lVhen the rod or bar G and the covering or screen plate ll are down the tablet whose outer face is provided with figures or marks corresponding to the amount of the purchases and what is indicated upon the plate Z) of the key or lever B, is shielded. \Vhen the bar G is raised, it is looked over the cross-arm 7c of the rock-arm K, which is pivoted to the main frame A.

To the rear of the rock-arm K is pivoted a pawl-frame L, which is free to move in one direction independent of the arm K, but not in the other direction. The upper end S of the arm J strikes the under portion of the pawl and actuates frame L so as to force the upper part L of the part K from under a catch 1 of the bar G, and thereby allow it to fall. In returning the end S pulls the pawlframe in the opposite direction without disturbing the frame K, which has reset itself and is supporting the bar last raised. This mechanism is substantially similar to what is set out in my application, Serial No. 319,660, filed August 3, 1889. Therefore I do not claim in this application the particular mechanism for indicating the amount of the purchase beyond the pivoted arrangement of the screens in combination with the remaining portion of the mechanism necessary to their operation. These tablets may be formed on continuous bars extending entirely across the machine, and the figures may be painted or otherwise formed thereon and be seen through the glass Window Y in the usual manner.

Q is the drawer for the money, and is arranged to slide in and out of the main frame below the keys B, and when closed may be locked in position by the locking-frame P, having the hook I which catches under the cross-bar g on the drawer. Vhen released by this lock, the drawer may be automatically forced out through the action of a suitable spring-actuated device Q. as set out in my application, Serial No. 325,il5, tiled September 28, 188.), above referred to.

Pivoted to the rear ends of the levers ii are depending arms 0, the lower ends of which are provided with locks or pro jections o and lateral projections o.

The rear end of the locking-frame P is provided with a series of slots 1), (best shown in Fig. 5,) in which slots or notches the ends of the arms 0 extend, so as to bring the lugs 0 under the edges of the slots, as indicated in Figs. 1, 4, and 5.

t will now be observed that upon striking any one of the levers or keys B the arm corresponding thereto will be lifted, and the locking-frame l oscillated so as to release the drawer Q. As there is considerable danger of accidentally striking the adjacent keys after the one intended to be struck has been depressed, to prevent registering by such accidental striking I provide a locking device which shall look all of the lovers against movement, except that first struck. This lock is fully shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 5. it consists of a transverse bar T, pivoted at each end at i to the main frame A, and is furi'iished ith the forwardly-prejecting edge T, which is adapted to enter between the raised arms 0 and those which remain down, as shown .in Fig. 5. The upper part of this frame is provided with an arm '6, which rests upon a projeetion j) on the lockil'ig-frame P.

When the frame 1? is raised at its rear end, it looks the locking-bar T and throws its ed gc T above the projections 0 on all of the pivoted arms 0, except the one raise-d, assuming the posit-ion shown in Fig. 5; In this position it will be seen that the said arms below the locking-bar are prevented from rising, and hence the lovers B corresponding thereto are prevented from actuating the registering devices. This locking mechanism is somewhat similar to that set out in my application, Serial No. 325,415,filed September 28, 1889, above referred to, and is not especially claimed inv this application, except so far as it maybe combined with other devices.

U is a pivoted lockin g-bar, which is pivoted to the main frame and is provided with downwardly-projecting arms or prongs n, which extend in the path of a projection V on the movable drawer. lVhen the drawer is closed, the projection V strikes one of the prongs a and throws the locking-bar U down, allowing the lovers 13 to be operated. However, when the drawer is open, the locking-bar U is thrown to the position indicated in Fig. 1, and thus prevents any of the levers being operated. By this means the drawer must be positively closed before the machine can be operated, and this is to prevent the operator leaving the drawer constantly open.

I do not limit myself to the exact constructions herein set out, as they may be modified ITO in various ways without departing spirit of my invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a cash-register, a series of operatinglevers, a series of registering-wheels operated thereby, a pivoted locking-bar adapted to be thrown into the path of thepivoted levers, so as to prevent the movement of all but one of the said levers at any one time, a drawer, and a movable drawer-locking frame operated by any one of the levers and common to all of said levers for unlocking the drawer and oscillating the pivoted locking-frame to lock all of the levers than the one struck from being moved simultaneously with the unlocking of the drawer, and thereby preventing any movement to the registering-wheels except to the wheel or wheels corresponding to thelever which has been struck.

2. In a cash-register, a series of operatinglevers, a series of registering-wheels operated thereby, a pivoted locking-bar adapted to be thrown into the path of the pivoted levers so as to prevent the movement of all but one of the said levers at any one time, a movable frame operated by any one of the levers and common to all of said levers for oscillating the pivoted locking-frame to lock all of the other leversthan the one struck from being moved, and thereby preventing any movein out to the registering-wheels except to the wheel or wheels corresponding to the lever which has been struck, a series of indicator-tablets, a series of screens or covers adapted to be moved in front of or away from said tablets, and lifting-rods between the said screens and the respective levers for simultaneously indicatin g to the purchaser the amount which has been registered upon the registeringwheels.

3. In a cash-registering machine, the combination of a series of keys or levers, a series of corresponding stationary tablets having figures marked thereon corresponding with the keys of the levers, a series of pivoted screens or covers having their pivots to the rear of their tablets and movable upward, so as to be adapted to shield or expose the figures upon the tablets, and a series of liftingrods connecting the pivoted screens or covers with the corresponding keys or levers.

4:. In a cash-registering machine, the combination of a series of keys or levers, a series of corresponding tablets fixed immovably on a stationary frame and having figures marked thereon corresponding with the keys of the levers, a series of screens or covers each pivoted to the rear of its tablet and movable upwardly and adapted to shield or expose the figures upon the tablets, a series of lifting-rods connecting the pivoted screens or covers with the corresponding keys or levers, and a suitable locking device common to all of the keys and levers, but retained and operated by any single key or lever for holding any bar which from the I has been raised in a suspended position until the strking of any lever or key.

5. In a cash-registering machine, the combination of a series of keys or levers, a series of corresponding tablets fixed immovably on a stationary frame and having figures marked thereon corresponding with the keys of the levers, a series of screens or covers each pivoted to the rear of its tablet and movable upwardly and adapted to shield or expose the figures upon the tablets, a series of liftingrods connecting the pivoted screens or covers with the eorrespondin g keys or levers, a series of register-ing-wheels corresponding to the respective keys or levers and having nu m bers upon their faces, a plate or cover arranged in front of said registering-wheels and provided with notches or slots for exposing a small portion of the figures on the respective wheels, and pawl mechanism between the levers or keys and the registeringavheel for operatin g the registering-wheel for any movement given to the pawls.

6. The combination, in a C;'tSl1-1OglSlOl,OfL series of operating levers or keys, a series of stationary tablets arranged side by side on a fixed frame corresponding to the levers or keys and having marked thereon figures corresponding to those of the respective keys or levers, a series of independentlymovable screens adapted to be moved in front of or away from the tablets, pivoted to the rear of the tablets, so as to move upward from the tablet, a series of vertical rods each forming a mechanical connection between one of the screens and the corresponding lever or key.

7. The combination, in a cash-register, of a series of operating levers or keys, a series of stationary tablets corresponding thereto and having marked thereon figures corresponding to those of the respective keys or levers, a series of independentlymovable screens adapted to be moved in front of or away from the tablets and pivoted to the rear of the tablets so as to move upward, a series of vertical rods each forming a mechanical connection between one of the screens and the corresponding lever or key, and suitable locking mechanism operated by the levers or keys and adapted to hold said lifting-rods in an elevated position upon being elevated, and registering mechanism operated by the levers or keys.

8. In a cash-register, the combination of a series of keys or levers, registering mechanism actuated thereby, a lock extending the entire width of the machine and actuated by any one of the lovers or keys upon being moved, and adapted to lock all of the remaining keys or levers against movement until the said key which is operated is released and returned to its normal position, and a pivoted drawerlocking frame actuated by the levers or keys to oscillate the lock.

9. The combination, in acash-register, of a series of operating levers or keys, a series of pairs of registering-wheels, one pair for each ICC lever or key and operated thereby, a series of pawls for each of the series of wheels adapted to lock said wheels against accidental rotation, a separate shaft for each series of pawls, a separate spring for each pair of pawls corresponding to a pair of registeringwheels and in which said spring actuates both pawls simultaneously, and a frame for carrying the said pawls and springs movable to and from the registering-wheels for the purpose of bringing said pawls into or out of contact with the registering-wheels and rods for limiting the movement of the pawls under the action of the springs when it is desired to disengage these pawls from the Wheels in resetting the machine.

10. In a cash-register, the combination of a series of hand-operated levers or keys provided at the inner end with a series of pendent bars having lngs or shoulders, a swinging locking-bar adapted to swing into or out of connect-ion with the lugs or shoulders upon the bars depending from the levers or keys, a movable drawer-releasin g frame actuated by the depending bars and having amechanical connection with the pivoted locking-bar,

whereby the movement of any of the levers positively actuates the locking-bar and locks all of the levers except the one struck against movement, and registering devices actuated by said levers or keys.

11. In a cash-register, the combination of a series of hand-operated levers or keys provided at the inner end with a series of; pendent bars having lugs or shoulders, a swinging locking-baradapted to swing into or out of connection with the lugs or shoulders upon the bars depending from the levers or keys, a movable drawer-releasing frame actuated by the depending bars and having amechanical connection with the pivoted locking-bar, whereby the movement of any of the lovers positively actuates the locking-bar and locks all of the levers except the one struck against movement, and registering and indicating devices actuated by said levers or keys.

In testimony of which invention I have hereunto set my hand.

IIOMER A. HERB. IVit-nesses:

. ERNEsT HoWARD HUNTER,

AL'PHONSUS J. DUNN. 

